The departure of Arsenal's skipper and top scorer Robin Van Persie to Manchester United last month had put a cloud over the Emirates, but Wenger is confident they can improve from their performance last season.

"Are we better than last season? It's too early but I'm confident we can build on that. We have things to work on and there's a good potential. Look at our midfield. You've Arteta, Cazorla, Wilshere, Coquelin, Rosicky, Ramsey," The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

"There is a fight for the places but there is quality there. We had two games when you could feel some potential but maybe lacked a spark. But now we've come out of a game feeling we've had a good performance," he added. (ANI)